Book Review: Maquette for Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Maquette for Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Gretchen Sprague
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy   Woman Main Character
Series: Martha Patterson # 2
St. Martin's, Feb 2000, $22.95, 240 pp.

Her legal firm forces attorney Martha Patterson to accept an early retirement. Rather than sit on her accolades, Martha volunteered to do legal work in Brooklyn (see DEATH IN GOOD COMPANY). Her volunteer work ended when she landed in the middle of a murder investigation. Currently she teaches senior citizens how to take advantage of existing laws.

Due to her friendship with sculptress Hannah Gold, Martha is also involved in the art world. Martha soon finds herself in another murder mystery when Hannah is knocked out and her assistant is killed. The assailant also destroyed Hannah's latest work, that of a maquette called "Love" slated for a competition. The effort to reassemble "Live" proves futile when someone destroys it again. The police and Martha wonder if a jealous rival might be the perpetrator.

Readers who enjoy a slower paced, character-driven story line will fully relish MAQUETTE FOR MURDER. The inner workings of New York City's art world including jealousies, massive egos, and traumatic insecurities is vividly portrayed in Gretchen Sprague's latest Martha Patterson mystery. The who-done-it is entertaining with the city serving as a backdrop to this urban cozy that will please sub-genre fans.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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